ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The University of Iowa baseball team lost a 4-3 decision Sunday morning to West Virginia in the final game of the Big Ten/Big East Challenge. The game was played at Walter Fuller Field.

"We did some real good things this weekend," said head coach Jack Dahm. "We had an opportunity to win all three games; unfortunately we were 1-2. Today, I thought our freshmen pitchers, Sasha Kuebel and Taylor Kaufman, did a great job for us, along with Patrick Lala. We just didn't drive in runs when we had our opportunities. It was a tough loss for us.

"We have a couple things to work on, but I think this team has a chance to do very well this year if they continue to work hard. I am looking forward to next weekend."

West Virginia, who won all three challenge games to start its season, scored the game's first run on a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the first off Hawkeye freshman starter Sasha Kuebel.

Iowa (1-2) tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the fourth on an infield RBI single, which allowed Dan Sheppard to score, who led the inning off with a double to left center.

The Mountaineers regained the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI groundout.

The Hawkeyes fought back and evened the score once again in the top of the eighth when Taylor Zeutenhorst crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly by Sean Flanagan.

West Virginia plated two unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth off Hawkeye reliever Tim Fangman. The Mountaineers scored the two runs on an RBI double and a safety squeeze.

Iowa's third comeback attempt fell just short. The Hawkeyes scored their third run in the top of the ninth on a Mike McQuillan sacrifice fly. With the tying run standing at third base, Zeutenhorst grounded out to end the game.

Sheppard and Chett Zeise led Iowa offensively, each recorded a pair of hits. Zeise had a pair of doubles, collecting six hits in three contests this weekend (two in each game).

Fangman got the loss for Iowa, while Ryan Tezak got the win for West Virginia. In his first start for the Hawkeyes, Kuebel got a no-decision, throwing four and a third, allowing two runs on four hits. Senior Patrick Lala and freshman Taylor Kaufman also saw action for Iowa on the mound today.

Iowa returns to action next weekend when it travels to Myrtle Beach, S.C. to compete in the Coastal Carolina Tournament Friday through Sunday. The Hawkeyes will open tournament play against Coastal Carolina Friday at 3 p.m. (CT).

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